So this relates to a $250 order I made from a local, low-key farm, that's highly reviewed online by the few who know about it, and they check all the boxes for my standards, in terms of their beef being a) 100% grass-fed & finished and b) certified organic. The husband & wife seem like fantastic people from my interactions with them, and I can tell they're quite knowledgable about the industry, and share the same views as I do on nutritional benefits of grass-fed, and more.
Anyway, I defrosted some striploin steaks from my recent order I bought from them. Prior to putting them on the BBQ, I could tell they had a noticeable scent to them. I don't know if "gamey" accurately describes what it was, or "barnyard-y" — but something just seemed off about it. I cooked them anyway, but that 'off' smell came out in the taste. Unfortunately I couldn't finish it. I was frustrated and confused. Note: I've smelled stale grass-fed beef before, but this wasn't like that.
I've ordered & eaten organic, 100% grass-fed/finished steaks recently from a farm in another city, yet there was no taste or smell issue for me.
These striploin steaks + the rest of my order were also very fresh and I'm told were delivered to the farm by the butcher just a day before I went. I remember when I bought meat from this farm last year, the butcher or slaughter date noted on the sticker was just 2 weeks prior. So really fresh stuff. If anything, I thought that the closer you are to the slaughter date of the animal, the more mild/lack of flavor the beef will have? So what's with this very 'off', noticeable smell & taste I'm picking up this time around? Also, last year I made tartare from this same farm's cut of tenderloin, and I know for sure I wouldn't have eaten tartare it if the smell was the same as what I'm noticing now. So again I'm left wondering, what could it be this time around causing this?
It's also not exclusive to the striploin steaks I defrosted and tried today, because I began defrosting some of the rib steaks and it seems like they have the same smell & will likely turn out the same.
What would you speculate the potential issue is? Could it be the breed of cow?
Anyway, I defrosted some striploin steaks from my recent order I bought from them. Prior to putting them on the BBQ, I could tell they had a noticeable scent to them. I don't know if "gamey" accurately describes what it was, or "barnyard-y" — but something just seemed off about it. I cooked them anyway, but that 'off' smell came out in the taste. Unfortunately I couldn't finish it. I was frustrated and confused. Note: I've smelled stale grass-fed beef before, but this wasn't like that.
I've ordered & eaten organic, 100% grass-fed/finished steaks recently from a farm in another city, yet there was no taste or smell issue for me.
These striploin steaks + the rest of my order were also very fresh and I'm told were delivered to the farm by the butcher just a day before I went. I remember when I bought meat from this farm last year, the butcher or slaughter date noted on the sticker was just 2 weeks prior. So really fresh stuff. If anything, I thought that the closer you are to the slaughter date of the animal, the more mild/lack of flavor the beef will have? So what's with this very 'off', noticeable smell & taste I'm picking up this time around? Also, last year I made tartare from this same farm's cut of tenderloin, and I know for sure I wouldn't have eaten tartare it if the smell was the same as what I'm noticing now. So again I'm left wondering, what could it be this time around causing this?
It's also not exclusive to the striploin steaks I defrosted and tried today, because I began defrosting some of the rib steaks and it seems like they have the same smell & will likely turn out the same.
What would you speculate the potential issue is? Could it be the breed of cow?
He had some very weird energy. Hate to say it but I think he thought I was cute. 
